Save your sight. Get regular eye exams.
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the United States for adults ages 20 to 74. Diabetic retinopathy (changes in the blood vessels of the retina) causes 12,000 to 24,000 new cases of blindness each year alone. But there are things you can do to help prevent blindness, which includes having regular eye exams.
Eye problems caused by diabetes can become severe before you notice any changes in your vision. Yearly visits to an ophthalmologist, a doctor specializing in eye diseases and eye surgery, can help save your sight.
During the exam, your eye doctor will check for these conditions that happen more often in people with diabetes:
Your primary doctor will want to see the results of your eye exam and make it part of your medical record.
More ways to help prevent eye problems
In addition to having eye exams every year, or more often if needed, you can help prevent eye problems in these ways:
- Keep your blood glucose and blood pressure within your target range.
- Do not smoke tobacco. If you do, quit.
If you have proliferative retinopathy, the most advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy, avoid weight lifting.
Symptoms to watch for
Although many people with diabetes do not have any early signs of eye problems, it’s good to watch for these symptoms and call your eye doctor right away if you have:
- flashes of light
- floating black spots
- double or blurred vision
- eye pain
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Source: Allina Health System Press, Chronic Complications of Diabetes, dia-ahc-22309 (10/05); Allina Health System Press, Eye Exams for People with Diabetes, eye-amc-31571 (9/01); American Diabetes Association; National Eye Institute
First published: 02/16/2007
Last updated: 02/19/2007
Reviewed by: Mary Frederick, RN, diabetes program manager, Allina Medical Clinic
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